In today’s music industry, many musicians struggle to make a living solely from their art, often relying on additional jobs or unique side hustles. Lily Allen recently highlighted this trend, revealing she earns more through her OnlyFans account than from Spotify, a sentiment echoed by others like Kate Nash. Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante bluntly stated, “It’s no music industry,” underscoring the financial challenges artists face.

Burlington-based singer-songwriter Emma Cook exemplifies this struggle. After years of creating music and having a daughter in 2022, she is working on her solo album, Of the Morning, but the financial burden of recording is significant, with estimated costs around $20,000. Cook, who previously recorded on a college budget, is keen on doing things differently this time.

To fund her album, she initiated her first crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, where initial success fostered a connection with her community, reinforcing the album’s theme of shared humanity. Cook aims to complete the project soon, aiming for a May release.

In addition to her solo work, Cook engages in teaching music to children and performs with the trio EmaLou & the Beat. The band plans a live holiday album recording in December, aiming to release it on vinyl for the following Christmas. With a busy schedule ahead, Cook acknowledges the challenges of balancing creativity, family, and work, but finds immense gratification in pursuing her musical dreams. She remains motivated by the support from fans and the fulfillment of expressing herself through her art. Despite the difficulties, Cook’s passion for music continues to drive her forward, making her process rewarding.